Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. is an internationally recognized analyst, award-winning author, and lecturer on North Korean defense and intelligence affairs and ballistic missile development in developing countries. He is concurrently senior fellow for Imagery Analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); senior adviser and imagery analyst for the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK); author for IHS Markit (formerly the Jane's Information Group); and publisher and editor of KPA Journal. Formerly, he has served as founder and chief analytics officer of KPA Associates, LLC, senior imagery analyst for 38 North at Johns Hopkins SAIS, chief analytics officer and co-founder of AllSource Analysis, Inc., and senior all-source analyst for DigitalGlobe’s Analysis Center. He has authored four books and more than 300 articles, reports, and monographs on numerous defense-related subjects. Mr. Bermudez has consulted and lectured extensively in academic and government environments both in the United States (e.g., National Defense University, Columbia University, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Alamos National Laboratories, Stanford University, U.S. Marine Corps University, U.S. Army Intelligence, U.S. Naval Intelligence, U.S. Navy Postgraduate School) and internationally (e.g., United Nations, Israel Defense Forces, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Republic of Korea National Defense College). He has also testified before the United Nations and U.S. Congress as a subject matter expert concerning North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear, chemical and biological warfare programs, satellite imagery of North Korean political prisoner camps, and ballistic missile development in the developing countries.
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- scestari@csis.org
In the News
Satellite Images Suggest Israel Struck a Major Iranian Missile Plant
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in The New York Times — October 29, 2024
One of Russia's closest allies warned it against sending North Korean troops to war
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in Business Insider — October 25, 2024
North Korea knows its troops could desert in Ukraine. It has chilling ways to keep them in line.
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in Business Insider — October 24, 2024
North Korea sending troops into Ukraine could supercharge an already-close partnership with Russia
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in Business Insider — October 22, 2024
North Korea sending military officials to help Russia in Ukraine is a massive boost for Kim Jong Un
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in Business Insider — October 16, 2024
Russia's desperate need for weapons in Ukraine could be a big win for the North Korean military
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in Business Insider — September 24, 2023
Ukraine’s Counteroffensive: What to Know
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in New York Times — June 14, 2023
War in Ukraine So Far Favors the Defense
Seth G. Jones, Alexander Palmer, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in The Washington Post — June 13, 2023
All Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. Content
Filter by
Update on Punggye-ri Amid Increased Tension
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — October 14, 2024
Recent Developments Along the China-North Korea Border
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — September 30, 2024
The Geopolitics of Port Security in the Americas
Commentary by Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — September 23, 2024
Changes at Tumangang-Khasan Rail Crossing as DPRK-Russia Alliance Evolves
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — August 8, 2024
China’s Massive Next-Generation Amphibious Assault Ship Takes Shape
Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — August 2, 2024
China’s Massive Next-Generation Amphibious Assault Ship Takes Shape
Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — August 1, 2024
Yongbyon’s Status during the Trump-Kim Summits: A Thermal Analysis
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — July 29, 2024
Changes at North Korean Missile Operating Bases: Part 2
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — July 2, 2024
Secret Signals: Decoding China’s Intelligence Activities in Cuba
Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Ryan C. Berg, and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — July 1, 2024
Enhancing Understanding of Yongbyon Through Thermal Imagery: Part 3
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 27, 2024